Studies around the world consistently show that companies that place women in senior positions perform better. One recent report from Credit Suisse found that companies with a higher participation of women in decision-making roles generate higher returns on equity and run more conservative balance sheets.

Despite these findings, the Asia-Pacific region lags well behind benchmark global economies in terms of gender diversity. For example, a 2016 report by NUS Business School’s Centre for Governance, Institutions and Organisations and Korn Ferry found that, at current rates, it would take another decade before the region matched diversity levels seen in the United States and economies of the European Union.

On the bright side, this means Asian companies have bright prospects if they do the right thing and appoint more women into decision-making roles.

How then can we tap into this often under-represented segment? What challenges does the region face in bringing more women into senior positions? And how can firms be encouraged to recognise the strength and benefits of gender diversity?